Town Council Considering Changing Braintree Polling Locations

BRAINTREE, MA — The Town Council will consider a proposal to combine the town's 12 vote precincts into three for the remainder of 2020. The proposal will be brought before the council Wednesday night.

Under the plan, voters in Districts 1 and 2 would vote at Braintree High School, District 3 and 4 at the East Middle School and District 5 and 6 residents would cast their ballot at the South Middle School. In past elections, every precinct has its own independent voting location except for precincts 5A and 1A, which both voted at Town Hall.

If approved, the plan would be in effect for the Sept. 1 state primary and the general election on Nov. 3.

Town Clerk Jim Casey said he recommended the changes because of uncertainties surrounding the coronavirus pandemic. The plan was drafted to simplify social distancing, protect poll workers and make sure there is enough personal protective equipment. It would also save about $50,000 in election costs, Casey said.

The proposal was approved by the council’s ways and means committee last month. Committee Chair Meredith Boericke in a statement said she supported the plan because it "protects the fundamental right of citizens to vote, while simultaneously ensuring the health of our poll workers who, almost uniformly, fall into the high-risk category for Covid-19."

"Even with fewer polling locations, based on the Town Clerk’s experience and estimations, the entire duration of the voting experience should take no more than 15 minutes – car door to car door," Boericke said.